Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo



# Anthropometr y f or Tr anspor tation Applications Edwar d St einfeld, Arch.D . April 2, 20 14 Wa shingt on, D.C.Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo 

# Back ground
 US standards are based on research and practical experience from the 1970’ s  Study sample of ~60 (Steinfeld, 1979 )  Research was completed on building elements, not transportation vehicles  Findings may not be valid today  Increased diversity of wheeled mobility device size & shape  Customizable features, accessories, postural support  Better technology and device procurement  Changes in transportation technologies  Changes in consumer expectationsCenter for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo 

# Tw o R esearch Studies
 Anthropometry of Wheeled Mobility Users  Funded by NIDRR through the RERC on Universal Design and the Built Environment Grant and the U.S. Access Board, 1999 - 2019
 Bus Simulation Study  Fu nded by NIDRR through the RERC on Accessible Public Transpor tation Grant, 2008 - 20 14Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo 

# Anthropometr y of WMD User s - Me thods

Anatomical measurements Reach range measurements Grip & pinch strength measurements Space clearancesCenter for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo 

# Sample
 495 wh eeled mobility users  53% males, 47% females  56% manual chair, 38% power chair, and 6% scooter users  Western New Y

ork (351), Pittsburgh (100) and Ithaca (44)  Diverse medical conditions  E.g., spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, amputations  Estimated population of w heeled mobility users (Kay e et al , 2000)  40% males, 60% females  89% manual chair, 9% power chair, and 9% scooter usersCenter for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo 

# Sof tw are Application Prot otypeCenter for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo 

# Examples of Findings Clear floor space  About 25% manual, 50% power chairs, 50% scooters exc eed dimensions  Greater number of exclusions due t o occupied length  Limitation – does not consider diffe rences in how task might be per fo rmed, e.g. leftor right- handed, for ward vs. side - waysCenter for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo 

# Clear f loor space when reachingCenter for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo 

# Fu nctional R each fo rw ard  Reach charts  Showing manual chair users  Graphical tools for designers  Relate design dimensions to performance  Quickly identify ‘sweet spots’ f or optimizing reach capability, or need for task redesign  Manual wheelchair users  85% had some reach capability  77% of these users could reach beyond toes  Greater % at closer distances  Need to provide foot and knee clearance spaceCenter for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo 

# Fu nctional R each Sidewa ys / lat eral  Key findings  Findings on manual chair users  Improved reach when sideways vs. forwards  Reach capability drops beyond . 400mm (16 in.)  610mm (24 in .) maximum permissible reach distance is too restrictiveCenter for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo 

# Knee and f oot clearances  Aggregate data for manual and power chair users  Analyze four dimensions simultaneously: Knee clearance height & depth, and Foot clearance height & depthCenter for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo 

# Examples Knee and f oot clearances
People with high knee clearance People with deep knee clearance
People with high toe clearance People with deep toe clearanceCenter for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo 

# Tu rning spaces and maneuverability

304.3.1Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo 

# RERC- APT R esearch  Bus Simulation Research  Ramp Slopes  On - boar d F are Pa yment  Seating Configurations – this presentation 

##  Field Studies  Guided T

ours  Information systems (Tiramisu)Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo 

# Bus SimulationCenter for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo



# Flexible Int erior s

 3 layouts  2 levels of passenger loading  6 simulated bus journey with follow - up interview La yo ut 1 La yo ut 2 La yo ut 3Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo 

# 6 User Groups f or Seating Study

User Gr oup Sample size Manual Wheelchair Users (MWU) 18 Powe r Wheelchair Users (PWU) 21 Scooter Users (SU) 9 Blind and Visually Impaired 18 Ambulation Aid Users 24 Able - bodied Ad ults 17Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo



# Selected FindingsCenter for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo



# Na vigation within bus ( 1/7) For rear entrance: identify ing intersection of aisle and ramp  No f eedback on reaching the aisle - ramp juncture (VI)
2 Continuous handrail from door way t o seats with fused stanchions Issue
Re commended Impr ove ments 1 Contrast colored / textured aisle t o identify ramp - aisle junctureCenter for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo



# Na vigation within bus (3/7) Space while mo ving in the bus (r oll o ver people’s f eet )  Insufficient aisle width(W A, MW C, PWC, S) Issue
Re commended Impr ove ments **5** Training for w heeled mobility usersCenter for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo



# Na vigation within bus (4/7) Fitting walking aids in the aisle with for ward facing seat  Insufficient aisle width(W A, MW C, PWC, S) Issue
Re commended Impr ove ments **5** Training and advice on types of walking aidsCenter for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo



# Na vigation within bus (5/7) Locating / hitting stanchions and hand holds  No en vir onmental cue (VI) 3 En vir onmental assistance in conjunction with smar t de vice on passengers (light, sound, haptic feedback) 5 Tr aining on specific bus designs Issue Re commended Impr ove mentsCenter for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo



# Seating Finding lever to lift the seat  Lack of en vir onmental cues pointing to it (MWC , PWC, S) 1 Markings (on seat / floor) directing t o seat le ver Issue Re commended Impr ove ments Who : NFT

A(immediate solution), American Seating(future change)Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at BuffaloCenter for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo



# Seating (5/6) Ef fort required to operate the lever  limit ed range of motion / strength requirement (MWC , PWC, S) Issue Re commended Impr ove ments 1 Change le ver design for easy grip (up/down vs in/out) Lead: NFT

A (immediate), American Seating (future change)Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo



# Seating ( 1/6) Inadequate leg room (forward facing seats)  Seats spacing inadequate (W A , VI) 5 Additional space for larger individuals, also for the elderly and those with mobility pr oblems which affe cts sitting and rising Issue Re commended Impr ove mentsCenter for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo



# Seating ( 2/6) Getting up from the seat (specially side facing)  No hand suppor ts (W

A) 2 Fo ld - do wn arm - rest on priority seats Issue Re commended Impr ove mentsCenter for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access | The State University of New York at Buffalo 

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